First quarter targets: CNA students will
  • Describe the characteristics and issues in the health care industry.
  • Demonstrate professional qualities and traits of health care assistants.
  • Apply the legal and ethical standards of the health care industry.
  • Communicate effectively with residents, co-workers, and the public.
  • Chart and report procedures and observations.
  • Describe principles of infection control.
  • Maintain safe environment for residents, workers, and public.
  • Use appropriate body mechanics.
  • Follow procedures to respond to common emergencies and potential disasters

Second quarter targets: CNA students will
  • Identify basic human needs.
  • Differentiate between physical, mental, and social changes that normally occur with aging with changes that occur with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia and confusion.
  • Incorporate acceptable techniques when communicating with and caring for a confused resident.
  • Describe how to care for a resident's unit and perform proper bedmaking.
  • Demonstrate how to assist in personal care of residents (including bathing, grooming, oral care, and dressing).
  • Demonstrate how to serve meal trays and assist with eating.
  • Demonstrate how to measure vital signs.

Third quarter targets: CNA students will
  • Describe the integumentary system and common diseases and disorders that affect it.
  • Identify guidelines for providing good skin care and preventing pressure sores.
  • Describe the musculoskeletal system and common diseases and disorders that affect it.
  • Explain positioning, range of motion, and how to safely transfer and ambulate residents.
  • Describe the nervous system and common diseases and disorders that affect it.
  • Describe guidelines for pain management, including use of warm and cold applications.
  • Describe the cardiovascular system and common disease and disorders that affect it.
  • List guidelines for monitoring vital signs.
  • Describe the respiratory system and common diseases and disorders that affect it.
  • Discuss care guidelines related to oxygen therapy.
  • Describe the urinary system and common diseases and disorders that affect it.
  • Explain guidelines for assisting with fluid balance, elimination, catheter care, and collecting urine specimens.
  • Describe the gastrointestinal system and common diseases and disorders that affect it.
  • Explain guidelines for nutrition, bowel retraining, ostomy care, and stool specimen collection.
  • Describe the endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems and diseases and disorders that affect them.

Fourth quarter targets: CNA students will
  • Explain the nursing assistant's role in caring for residents who are mentally ill or cognitively impaired..
  • Discuss rehabilitation and restorative care and the importance of promoting independence.
  • Identify the types of residents who are in a subacute setting and describe postoperative care.
  • Explain the nursing assistant's role in admitting, transferring and discharging residents.
  • Describe the grief process and how to care for a dying resident.
  • Explain how working for a home health agency or assisted living facility are different from working in long term care.
  • Explain how to find a job, write a resume, fill out a job application, use proper job interview techniques.